Ding Mei shyly walked toward the chair placed near the bed and sat down, her posture stiff as though she were sitting before an elder rather than her own husband.
Both of her legs were locked together, her delicate hands fidgeting in her lap, and her head lowered so deeply that her long black hair covered most of her face.
Even so, Xue Wen could clearly see the tips of her ears glowing crimson, as red as lanterns on a festival night.
A small smile curved his lips. Her shyness was so pure, so untainted, that his chest warmed with a strange tenderness.
He took a slow step forward, then another, until he was beside her.
Gently, he placed his hand on her shoulder.
The sudden contact made her body jolt like a frightened bird.
She quickly raised her head, her sapphire-blue eyes wide with surprise, her lips trembling slightly. "Eh… H-Husband," she stammered, her voice thin and delicate, like the sound of a flute carried on the wind.
Xue Wen met her gaze and let out a soft sigh. "Mei'er," he said, his tone low and sincere, "I am sorry… sorry for everything I have done to you. I truly regret it." His voice carried no arrogance, no pretense, only raw apology.
For a long moment, Ding Mei remained silent.
Her eyes searched his face as though she couldn't believe his words were real. Slowly, her lashes quivered, and tears welled up, shimmering like dew on the edge of a flower petal.
She turned her head away, unable to look at him any longer, her lips pressing together to hold back a sob.
Xue Wen's heart clenched.
The memories of his predecessor weighed on him like chains.
To treat such a kind and loyal woman with cold indifference for a whole year… it was a cruelty he could hardly forgive himself for, even if he wasn't the one who had done it. Shame burned in his chest.
His hand lifted almost instinctively, fingers brushing her soft cheek as he tried to wipe away the tears sliding down her pale skin.
But the instant his fingertips touched her, Ding Mei flinched, jolting back as though scalded.
She quickly raised her hands and covered her face, too shy to let him see her crying expression.
Xue Wen didn't push further.
He only chuckled softly, stepping back to give her space. 'I'll have to take things slowly', he thought, determination hardening in his heart.
'I need to win her trust, to earn her love. I won't let such a beautiful and kind-hearted girl slip through my fingers.'
Ding Mei, still hiding her face, shuffled a little further away from him. Her voice came out faint and muffled through her palms. "I… I'm sorry…"
"There's no need for you to apologize," Xue Wen said firmly, shaking his head. "It's all my fault." His gaze fell on the bed, and after a pause, he added, "I can sleep on the ground tonight. You should take the bed."
Her head shot up at his words, her brows furrowing with worry. "No! You can't," she said quickly, panic lacing her voice. "Your body is still weak. You must rest properly. I… I am comfortable sleeping on the ground."
Seeing the genuine concern on her face, Xue Wen sighed deeply.
Her selflessness was like a blade cutting into his heart.
For a while, he looked at the bed silently, weighing his words carefully. Finally, he rubbed the back of his head awkwardly and said, "This bed… it's big enough for both of us. And after all… we are husband and wife."
The moment the words left his mouth, Ding Mei froze. Her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red, and she instantly covered her face with both hands.
She had never shared a bed with a man before, not even with her two former husbands, who had died before such a thing could happen. The thought alone made her heart pound uncontrollably.
Seeing her embarrassment, Xue Wen quickly moved to ease her worries. He grabbed a few pillows and carefully placed them down the middle of the bed, forming a clear boundary. "Don't worry," he said with a reassuring smile. "Look, this side is yours, and this side is mine. The pillows will be our wall. Nothing improper will happen."
Ding Mei peeked through her fingers at the divided bed. After a long hesitation, she gave a tiny nod, her voice barely audible. "Mm…"
"Come," Xue Wen said gently. "It's already late. We both need to rest." He sat down on his side of the bed, patting the blanket lightly.
With small, nervous steps, Ding Mei approached.
Her hands clutched at her robe as she walked, her head lowered so much it seemed she wanted to vanish into the floor. But just as she reached her side, her foot caught on the edge of the rug.
Her body tilted forward.
"Ah—!" she gasped, panic flashing in her eyes.
Xue Wen reacted instantly. He stepped forward and caught her before she could fall, his arms wrapping around her delicate figure. But the momentum carried them both backward, and in the next instant, they stumbled together onto the bed.
The world seemed to pause.
Xue Wen's chest pressed against her soft form, her warmth flooding into him. Her hair spilled across his face, carrying with it a faint floral fragrance that made his head spin.
For a heartbeat, their eyes met, hers wide and filled with shock, his steady yet tinged with amusement.
A smile tugged at his lips. He could feel her heartbeat pounding wildly against his chest, faster than a drum.
Ding Mei, however, reacted like a startled rabbit. With a sharp squeak, she scrambled off him, retreating to her side of the bed as fast as she could. Her entire face burned scarlet as she grabbed a pillow and buried her face in it, refusing to look at him again.
Xue Wen let out a low chuckle and leaned back on his side of the bed, watching her trembling form with gentle eyes. She's too pure… he thought warmly. But one day, I'll make her truly mine.